Andrea Limbacher ends her career

The 33-year-old from Upper Austria won gold at the 2015 World Championships in Kreischberg, Styria, took part in four Olympic Games and celebrated four World Cup victories. Limbacher resigned due to the effects of numerous injuries and is now a police officer.

“The injuries are also the reason why my journey in the World Cup is now coming to an end. My body simply no longer allows the necessary amount of training to be able to race at the highest level,” said Limbacher, who suffered five cruciate ligament tears between 2010 and 2020 and suffered other serious injuries in both knees, but always fought his way back to the top of the world and finished in the top three in the World Cup a total of 16 times.

“There have been ups and downs in my career. The fact that I’ve managed to get back on the podium in the World Cup after every injury makes me a little proud,” explained Limbacher, whose sporting highlight was of course the triumph at the home world championship was eight years ago. “Celebrating such a success at home is very special. I’m grateful that I was able to experience it,” said the Upper Austrian.

With her title, she “helped ski cross become more popular in Austria,” emphasized Markus Gutenbrunner, the sporting director for ski cross at Ski Austria, and praised the attitude of his athlete. “Andrea always subordinated everything to her ski cross career. It was remarkable how well she coped with the many setbacks and always came back strong,” said Gutenbrunner.